Violence is not and will not be the answer

It’s hard to get away from talking about the ongoing protests and public disorder.  To be honest it’s quite depressing to be still having to blog about this matter 40 + days after it all began.

I had hoped that common sense would prevail and that somehow those who disagree with the decision about the Union Flag would have found some other way to deal with their anger and frustration.  I am appalled that almost 100 police officers have been injured, millions of pounds of the policing budget diverted, which could have been used for more positive things, thousands of pounds of damage caused to homes, property and police equipment, and communities wrecked, to say nothing of the potential to damage many years of community reconciliation which people have worked so hard to develop.

The damage internationally will have a long legacy.  We have already heard stories of almost empty planes landing at our airports, the very significant financial loss to our retail, food and hospitality industry and even if the protests were to end tomorrow it will take some months to recover from the economic impact.  No doubt much needed jobs will be lost.  We are getting queries from people who are thinking twice about coming to Northern Ireland for major events such as the World Police and Fire Games, an event which can potentially bring up to 25,000 people to Northern Ireland and millions of pounds to the economy.

Over the weekend you saw the images of police officers intervening as Northern Ireland's deep seated, raw sectarianism was evidenced on the Albert Bridge Road.  I saw images on the news of children, one small boy I would say was no older than about 11, joining in with older youths to throw masonry at police officers.  Many will rightly ask about parental control in that situation.  To date 112 people, many of them young, have been arrested with 85 charged with offences.  Their choice to become involved in street disorder may well have an impact much longer after the protests have finished.  Given the choice - and it is a choice - no-one wants this future for our young people.

I appeal, in fact I plead, that everyone whether an elected representative, community worker, parent, person of influence or individual who cares about the future of our young people does everything they can to stop this ongoing situation.  Find another way to voice your anger rather than engaging in street protest.  And if you feel you must protest, do it legally and peacefully, notifying the appropriate authorities in advance.  It’s still not too late to find another way to try to resolve this issue.  Violence is not and will not be the answer.  If our troubled past has taught us nothing, it has surely taught us this.